Hořice v Podkrkonoší Celebrates Its Culinary Gem: The Hořice Tubes!
If you enjoy Hořice tubes, which are a beloved sweet treat that has special protection for its geographical origin, then make sure to visit the Festival of the Horické tubes on Saturday, 30 August 2025. You can sample these delicious tubes right where they are made, in the town where this tradition started.
The Gourmet Festival is a yearly event that takes place in Hořice’s main square. This year will be no different, featuring a diverse lineup of activities on stage, as well as Vendors’ stalls. The park area will be dedicated to children’s activities and relaxing spots. Expect to see live performances from bands like Old Prague Pardals, Vanillas, Mr. Moos, Vaclav Neckar Tribute Band, Tereza Balonova, and Portless. You’ll also have the chance to discover how these tasty pipes are crafted, what fillings they have, and enjoy a craft fair along with contests for both kids and adults, such as a drinking competition with pipes or seeing who can make the longest folded tube. Best of all, admission is free!
Hořice tubes have represented Hořice v Podkrkonoší for over 200 years. People know and love them both locally and internationally. These sweet treats are carefully hand-rolled from two thin, crispy wafers that are brushed with melted butter and filled with honey. They can be filled with special creams or whipped cream, and sometimes they are coated or partially coated in chocolate. Legend has it that the recipe was first shared in 1812 by a chef injured while serving Emperor Napoleon, who passed it to a local woman as gratitude for her care in nursing him back to health.
Hořice – a town of stunning stone architecture
Hořice boasts a rich artistic culture thanks to its sculpture and stonework school that has been in existence since the 1880s. This is evident in the beautiful decorations found all around the town and in the exhibits of the Sculpture Gallery.
The gallery is situated on the slope of the sandstone Gothard Hill, right next to the Smetana Gardens, which features a wonderful collection of sculptures from the early 20th century as well as a collection of modern world sculptures placed outdoors, which includes eighty sculptures by artists from Europe, Asia, and America.
At the Sculpture Gallery, you can explore the ongoing exhibition titled Czech Sculpture in the First Half of the 20th Century. This exhibition features works by renowned artists like Joseph V. Myslbek, Václav Levy, Jan Stursa, Stanislav Sucharda, Ladislav J. Kofranek, Josef Mařatka, and many others who are well-respected figures in the field of stone and sculpture art.
